SAN DIEGO -- A federal appeals court decided Wednesday that marine mammals have no standing to sue to stop the U.S. Navy from using sonar.

In upholding a lower court decision, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco said the world's cetaceans -- whales, porpoises and dolphins -- have no standing under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act or the National Environmental Policy Act.

If lawmakers "intended to take the extraordinary step of authorizing animals as well as people and legal entities to sue, they could, and should, have said so plainly," said Judge William A. Fletcher, writing for the panel.

The Navy uses a type of sonar that helps detect quiet submarines at long range. Low frequency transmitters emit sonar pulses or "pings" that can travel hundreds of miles through the water.

"The negative effects of underwater noise on marine life are well recognized," the court said. Even the Navy acknowledged any "human-made noise that is strong enough to be heard has the potential to reduce (mask) the ability of marine mammals to hear natural sounds," according to the court.

In arguing for the cetaceans, Hilo, Hawaii-based lawyer Lanny Sinkin asked for an injunction banning long-range sonar until President Bush and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld consult with the National Marine Fisheries Services and prepare an environmental impact statement.

"Obviously, I'm very disappointed, particularly on behalf of the cetaceans," Sinkin said. "This decision is a missed opportunity for truly protecting endangered species and an opportunity for extending human stewardship on the planet."

Ok, this is pretty elementary and people will probably say, that's so dumb, but it makes my life easier so I decided to share.

I'm always on the run, especially since I work full time and go part time night. For example, I like to go to the gym and study, but I found it so hard to carry all big case books around and read while doing my cardio or weight lifting. Or if I go out to lunch and want to study while eating a burger, I hated having to carry around the books. So what I do now is, keep all my case books at my work, and xerox what I need for the week ahead. Then only have to carry the xerox pages so it makes studying on the run easier and also it's less stress on my back. The only negative is I have to spend 15 minutes xeroxing the pages but I think it's worth the inconvinience of lugging the books around, and back pain.